life

We make our way down the trail past a small natural pool of rushing water. I am warned not to look to the left as we make continue what seems an aimless trek down a flight of cement stairs. Just as my lower back commences a feeling of tightness i turn a corner and am painted by a blanket of cool mist. As I open my eyes from the initial shock of the water, I stand in awe at the foot of a perfectly sculpted waterfall. A sense of overwhelming empowerment rushes through me and I am left stunned. As I step over the edge - the threshold between manmade bridge and natural curve of rock and foliage I become filled with the excitement only a 4 year old child could exude. Mist still caressing my body, I leap into a pool of water and continue onward toward the waterfall like a tiny lead bead so powerfully pulled toward a magnet. Adrenaline pumped as if to replace every liter of blood in my body. As I stand at the bottom of such a natural masterpiece, I realize I have stopped breathing in excitement. Water pours over me inhibiting all visual experience, my heart pounds and my balance becomes useless. I climb behind the curtain of water and catch my breath. After accepting the rediculous idiot-like grin stretched across my entire face is completely unbreakable, I stand back immediately consumed by the sight of water cascading down from this stone umbrella above me. Inspiration at this point is completely insufficient in describing the train of emotions barreling its way through my being.I find myself standing on a ledge 30 feet above the the junction between what seems the end of the waterfall and the beginning of the river. My only option is to jump purely to feel the rush. purely to live in that particular moment. the cold pure water whirls around me and bubbles make the journey from my feet to the top of my head rolling the entire way along my skin as if to cleanse me. I resurface, my entire body shaking uncontrollably as if I had just recieved a shot of unwarranted epinephrine. I climbed out of the water and we made our way to the top of the grand waterfall.As I stand wading in water forcefully colliding into my calves I lean over the the edge and stare down into the river I had just been consumed by. At that moment, 145 feet above everything, I held a piece of the world in my hands and I came to the realization that I had to let go of my grasp in order to consecrate sanity into my mind again. Life at that moment, atop the beautifully crafted waterfall, was experienced. Life at that moment was appreciated. Life was LIVED.
written by Tasha